DIY: Cookie decorating

CONFESSION: I’ve always been a complete slob when it comes to decorating cookies. In my mind’s eye, I create the most gorgeous, wonderful confections. Such slow, meaningful effort goes into the baking that I convince myself that of course I can decorate the cookies like a pro.

…until my caffeine-infused, palsied hands begin the delicate piping and the whole cookie perfection dream is shot to hell in a pastry bag.

Being the intensely awesome internet sleuth I am, I’ve checked out several Youtube videos on the subject of CORRECTLY decorating these sugar beauties and can proudly attest that even the most slobbery slobberton (such as myself) CAN create a pretty cookie.

Below, find a few pics of how I went about the delicate business. Also be sure to check out the vids on piping and flooding.
First up: basic decorating. How to flood a cookie

Interested in simple dots? Here’s what I did: Begin with a flooded cookie. Make sure the icing is completely dry.

Next, measure out the distance you want for your dots, and mark the distance using a pin.

Finally, ice the dots. You can then use these dots as a baseline for making more involved designs, like lace.